2009-07-04

Wood Strip Kayak - Post 11 - Maiden Launch

The kayak if finished and is ready to see its first trip to the water. I take the traditional photo with the finished kayak and gather my gear.

The kayak looks very out of place atop my car. I can't help but feel everyone is staring at me as I drive around town out to the lake.

My custom, hand built roof rack allowed me to roll the kayak off the back of the car.

A little speech from my lovely wife and myself naming the kayak in honor of my mom's family Mongosa (Miami Indian for White Loon).

Preparing for launch. I found a sweet life vest with a mesh back to rest on top of the seat.

Nothing like being back out in nature.

The kayak performed close to what I had hoped. It displaced a little more water than I though and I had to lower the seat to about 1/2" above the bottom. She was quicker than any other kayak I had paddled and tracked perfectly straight. Can't wait to get back out there!